Manassas Car Accident Attorneys

We Stand Ready for Fight for You

Car accidents happen all the time, but no one ever expects it will happen
to them. Unfortunately, a car crash can occur anytime, anywhere, no matter
how carefully you are driving. The reality is that others’ negligence
can lead to your catastrophic injury.

If you have been hurt in a car accident by no fault of your own, we encourage
you to discuss your case with our Manassas car accident attorneys. At
Ashcraft & Gerel, we have over 65 years of experience representing
the injured victims of negligence and preventable accidents. We have what
it takes to see your claim through to end and to recover the full compensation
that you deserve.

Insurance Coverage Requirements in Virginia

In Virginia, drivers are not required to purchase auto insurance if they
pay $500 to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of their
car registration and each time they renew their license. Drivers should
know, however, that this fee is not a form of insurance. Paying this fee
instead of purchasing car insurance means that you are essentially an
uninsured driver and burdens you with that risk.

If you do choose to purchase car insurance, Virginia does require minimum
coverages of:

At least $25,000 to cover physical injury or death of one person

At least $50,000 to cover physical injury or death of two people

At least $20,000 to cover property damage resulting from an accident

Though we all hope we never have to put our auto insurance to use, the
reality is that car accidents happen every day to even the most cautious
and experienced drivers. Insurance can be a vital safety net in the event
of a collision, whether you or another driver caused it.

What to Do after a Car Accident

Immediately following a car accident, the first thing you should do is
make sure that you and your passengers are physically okay. If not, seek
medical attention right away.

If no one is seriously injured, you should call the police. Getting the
police involved ensures that insurance information is exchanged and can
also ensure that an accurate police report is created, which can strengthen
your case later on.

The Car Accident Claims Process

Once the accident scene has been cleared and you have received the necessary
medical attention, the daunting process of a car accident claim begins.
Perhaps the most complicated aspect of this process is dealing with the
insurance companies. Though you can try to handle this part alone, it
is in your best interest to work with an attorney who has experience negotiating
with insurance companies. We understand the tactics that insurance companies
employ to try to lower their liability and pay you less.

Statute of Limitations

In Virginia, there is a two-year statute of limitations on car accident
claims. The clock starts ticking at the time of the accident. That is
why it is vital that you begin the claims process as soon as possible.
We recommend that you call the other driver’s insurance company
to give them notice of the claim. From there, our Manassas car accident
attorneys can follow up with a letter to the insurance company.

Fault in Car Accidents in Virginia

Virginia is a “fault” state, meaning that you have the right
to file a claim against the other driver if they hurt you or damage your
property in an accident.

Virginia is also a state that uses the contributory negligence –
or comparative fault – policy. Under this policy, you cannot file
a claim or recover any money if you were even just 1% at fault for the
accident. Insurance companies will likely try to use this law when settling
to try to lower the amount it has to pay out.

Work with Ashcraft & Gerel

Car accident claims can be long, convoluted, and stressful. Let our Manassas
car accident attorneys shoulder the burden for you while you focus on
recovering. We realize that there is a lot of red tape to cut through
and plenty of hoops to jump through. Our firm has a track record of success
in car accident cases and has recovered more than $1 billion for our clients
and their families. We are determined to see you succeed.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.